ABAP Development Video legal question

[Former Member]

Dear Community,

We would like to create something like a video tutorial for ABAP development for the beginner level based on the flight data model. We might simply put it on our websites unrestriced area, membership area or we might sell this as a product.

The system we are using for this beginner level development activity is the Netweaver Trial version, this is more then enough for this purpose.

Here comes the question; In the license agreement of the Netweaver ABAP Trial version there is this sentence:

"The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is "NOT FOR PRODUCTION USE". You may not demonstrate, test, examine, evaluate or otherwise use the Software Product in a live operating environment or with data that has not been sufficiently backed up. "

I do not fully understand this sentence. Would our activity considered as "production usage" and we might get legal troubles, or a commercial video tutorial is ok?

If we have a problem here, what could be the workaround? Subscription for a system hosted by SAP or maybe subsciption for a cheaper hosting like eg. www.michaelmanagement.com ?

I would really appreciate your oppinion.

Thanks,

Jozep

[Former Member]

Thank you very much for your help. Let's see the new licensing policy and then we might know more on how to proceed.

[Former Member]

Thank you for your extremely valuable comments. Based on this we will rather pay for and access to a basic SAP system, we do not want to get troubles.

Allow me an other question though. If we show the basics of ABAP development with the help of the SFLIGHT data model or the other models provided in each system. Would that be a problem? Intellectual property or other rights?

Thanks,

Jozep

[matt]

It could be. On the other hand, I'd take the opportunity to develop my own, because I never liked the SFLIGHT stuff anyway. The only way to tell is ask SAP direct, I think.

[Former Member]

If you ask me, I think it could fly...

[Former Member]

What about TEACHING ABAP outside a SAP environment. Would an evening course of teaching ABAP using the minisap system consitute a " Production Environment".

The course would entail students having their OWN downloaded copies of the minisap system.

(Actually since there doesn't seem to be any way currently of licensing the system anymore this whole question could be a moot point).

Cheers

jimbo

[Former Member]

This would be a violation of the license agreement as well, the minisap is tool for individual trial use not as a classroom tool.

[matt]

>

> This would be a violation of the license agreement as well, the minisap is tool for individual trial use not as a classroom tool.

But Jimbo said "The course would entail students having their OWN downloaded copies of the minisap system" So it could be argued that it's for individual trial and education.

[pokrakam]

The thing that amazes me most is why this question is even asked here! It's a straightforward legal/commercial question so why not pop a mail off to your local SAP office?

We discuss these things in theoretical contexts but when you're looking at a business venture then what do a bunch of developers, consultants, techies and business experts really know about copyright law? We may give an overwhelming opinion one way but the reality as seen by SAP's lawyers may be completely different. What's posted here are opinions, but a direct reply from SAP is a green/red light.

Cheers,

Mike

Edit: Although it looks that way, it's not a reply to Craig, just a general comment on the thread.

Edited by: Mike Pokraka on Jul 23, 2008 4:01 PM

[Former Member]

Not taken as such however I will take this time to state that my comments were coming from asking SAP legal - I'll be happy to get anyone in touch with legal if they want it from the horse mouth so to say

[Former Member]

Again and just to be clear as I've mentioned everything has exceptions if anyone is in need of a clarification I am happy to help get you in touch with the right people inside of SAP who can help evaluate and determine usage. AS it was mentioned none of us are really experts in the question and my answers have been based on general inquiries and nothing specific so the offer stands if anyone wants to ask directly - we don'T actually advertise a number to legal so happy to forward. I just spoke with someone and they are happy to take a look at any inquiry.

[Former Member]

I'm definitely no legal expert but IMHO what Craig says is only a very US like point of view (the land where the legal system is specially designed for big corporations ).

I'd suspect that in Europe, for example, justice is very well able to make a distinction between a video on how to use a certain software and the usage of the software to fulfil the software's original purpose. Or to simplify it a bit further 'A screenshot of a software is something different from the software itself'. THerefore it would be allowed to take a screenshot of the software as long as it is allowed to talk about that software (and e.g. teach the usage of it).

Elsewhere this might be no reasonble issue at all.

Just my 2 worthless cents. anton.

[Former Member]

True Anton but the license agreement for the download is still binding regardless of where you might be living/using it.

As I said there are often exceptions but they are handled case by case.

[pokrakam]

Just my 2 worthless cents. anton.

I thought you lived in Europe?

[Former Member]

given an actual inflation rate of 3.9% my 2 cents are becoming worthless, even if they are euro cents

[pokrakam]

But if the US inflation rate is higher then our cent-relative inflation is positive and thus increasing in value

[Former Member]

>

> But if the US inflation rate is higher then our cent-relative inflation is positive and thus increasing in value 

Yes, but only if you spend the future value 2 euro cents in dollars, and I don't think that Ryan Air is going to be stooping that low..

>

> Or to simplify it a bit further 'A screenshot of a software is something different from the software itself'.

What about screenshots of all the source code? Or a video of it at runtime?

[Former Member]

Can you please stop talking about conversion rates - please - I live in the US and get paid in US dollar and my so called 'top-salary' is not much worth back in good ol Austria - just kidding;-)

To make it even worse I currently work in London and that is one expensive city - I can get two Big Mac's for the price of one in the US - if I would eat them (ok - once in a while because I can't eat those triangular shaped sandwiches all the time).

Sorry for hijacking the thread,

Harald

[matt]

Could be worse for you Harold. Since the CHF/GBP and EUR/GBP exchange rate has become so favourable, I find london prices fairly reasonable... Best advice: don't visit continental Europe!

My 2 rappen. IIRC the trial version is for evaluating and trying out new featuers for personal training only. To exploit for commercial use, you need the subscription.

matt

[Former Member]

This basically means that NO you may not make a video and sell it. You could make a video and provide it for free for example here on SDN but there can be no money/compensation involved when using the Trial system.

Any video tutorial created wold need to be public domain. I'd be happy to get legal involved if you'd like more details on options, there have been exceptions made in the past but on a case by case basis.

[former_member583013]

I don't work for SAP...But I'm a SAP Mentor...So I can add my 2 cents, while someone answers...

NetWeaver Sneak Preview is not meant for commercial use...Which means that you can't use it on a Production Environment....Which means that you can't use it on your company as an ERP System...When it comes to a video...I don't think there should be any problem...You're not selling software...You're selling a Video Tutorial showing how to work with NSP...

Again...I don't know exactly how SAP Legal department manages this kind of stuff...So better wait for them to pop up -:)

Greetings,

Blag.